The auction proceeds exceeded the estimated value of $50,000 to $80,000 for the 1959 white Mercedes 190 SL. In addition to the vehicle, she generously included a Signature Sheryl Crow Gibson guitar, a pair of concert tickets and a photo opportunity with the winning bidder as part of the package.

Crow said her background as a teacher and her personal interest in public education led her to select Joplin schools as the beneficiary of the proceeds for the car, which was auctioned by Gooding & Company as part of its prestigious, annual Pebble Beach Auctions every August, coinciding with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

“I really do believe the future of this country is our kids being educated to the fullest,” Crow said. “I wanted to do something meaningful to help the school system because that will be so integral to Joplin’s recovery in the years to come.”

The Joplin Schools Recovery Fund is one of 21 funds established at the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and its largest affiliate, the Community Foundation of Southwest Missouri, designated for various aspects of the community’s recovery from the May 22 tornado. The total of the funds is now more than $3.85 million. “The road to recovery in the Joplin Schools is going to be a long one,” Joplin Schools Superintendent Dr. C.J. Huff said. “This generous donation will help us ensure our children have the tools and resources they need to be successful in school as we continue our journey towards a brighter future for our kids and community.

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is a regional public foundation with assets of about $180 million in more than 2,000 funds. The CFO’s network includes donors, 43 regional affiliate foundations, more than 400 non-profit agency partners and about 100 schools across central and southern Missouri.